The McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida e-newsletter

Issue 29, Winter 2023

Message from MBI Leadership

Dear Colleagues:

Happy New Year and we hope you were able to spend quality time with your loved ones and recharge this holiday season.

We know the past few years have presented big professional challenges, and we thank you for your unwavering dedication to your patients, trainees and research efforts.

The new year brings a milestone to celebrate: the MBI’s 25th anniversary! Submit your ideas for how we can celebrate this occasion and also share memories and milestones: bit.ly/3Xij2me

We’d like to introduce you to a new resource for our researchers: the MBI Faculty Onboarding Guide. While geared toward new faculty, we hope this guide will prove helpful to researchers in any stage of their career. Scroll down and read more about it in this newsletter.

As always, we’re proud of all your accomplishments and we hope you enjoy this newsletter that highlights some of them.

Have a great spring semester!

Steven T. DeKosky, M.D., MBI Deputy Director
Jada Lewis, Ph.D., MBI Deputy Director
Kevin St.P. McNaught, Ph.D., MBI Chief Science Officer

doctor duane mitchell reviewing results in the lab with an associate

Brain tumor team featured on ESPN, ABC

Videos that aired during The V Foundation’s V Week on national ESPN and ABC broadcasts highlighted UF Health’s efforts to fight brain cancer.

Neuroscientists awarded UF Innovate ’s “Invention of the Year”

Drs. Coralie de Hemptinne and Jackson Cagle describe their technology designed to identify deep brain stimulation settings based on a patient’s brain activity.

Norman Fixel Institute renewed as LBDA Research Center of Excellence

Lewy Body Dementia Association sites are committed to clinical care, clinical research, health care professional education and community support and education.

New MBI Faculty Onboarding Guide

We’re thrilled to share our new internal McKnight Brain Institute Faculty Onboarding Guide! Please take a moment to explore this new resource and share it with any colleagues you think may benefit from it.

Here’s a link to access the guide online: mbi.ufl.edu/members/member-guide (password: mbi)
There, you’ll also find a downloadable version for printing.

UF Women of Neuro

Our UF Women of Neuro series shines light on some of the incredible women leading our neuroscience and neuromedicine research initiatives.

• Dr. Christina Wilson: director of the UF department of neurology residency program

• Dr. Krista Vandenborne: chair of UF's department of physical therapy

NFL partners with UF to measure on-field head impacts using mouthguard sensors

Dr. Jay Clugston and colleagues will lead UF’s research efforts as part of multi-institutional effort.

Doctor Emily Fox takes a piece of breathing equipment from a nurse

Researchers receive $3.6M grant to study breathing therapy for spinal cord injury

Dr. Emily Fox will lead study evaluating ways to optimize intermittent hypoxia therapy.

Close up of senior man coughing into elbow at home.

Treatment to strengthen cough shows promise for Parkinson’s patients

A study co-authored by Dr. Karen Hegland found that sensorimotor training for airway protection improved cough-related outcomes for Parkinson’s patients.

A serious teenage girl gestures as she sits on a couch in her school counselor's office and talks to her unrecognizable counselor. The counselor takes notes on a clipboard.

Experts provide clinical guidance amid rise in sudden-onset tic-like symptoms

Dr. Irene Malaty and international experts published review on diagnosis and management of functional tic-like phenomena.

portraits of doctor dawn bowers and rachel schade

Does replacing dopamine help with facial masking in Parkinson ’s?

Dr. Dawn Bowers and Rachel Schade led a study reporting that dopamine medications improves facial movement and expressions in Parkinson’s.

Neuroscientists publish review of latest Tourette syndrome research

Drs. Kara Johnson and Aysegul Gunduz co-authored a review focused on research from the past five years and key questions for future research.

photo displaying a timer, hypodermic needles and a stethoscope

Adropin treatment shows promise to limit post-stroke brain damage in mouse study

A study led by Dr. Eduardo Candelario-Jalil reported a potential neuroprotective role of the peptide adropin in the aged brain after ischemic stroke.

Web graphic with a photo of a woman with brown hair and a colorful top next to text that reads: m-b-i behind the scenes. now highlighting: Kate Casey-Sawicki.

Behind the Scenes with Kate Casey-Sawicki

We’re highlighting an employee who plays a key role in the research efforts happening at UF’s BREATHE and BRAIN Centers.

Innovative immunotherapy for malignant brain tumors

This research spotlight focuses on Dr. Duane Mitchell, winner of the College of Medicine’s 2022 Clinical Science Research Award.

MBI members appointed assistant deans for research

In new roles, Drs. Elias Sayour and Daniel Wesson will help develop and execute a strategic vision for advancing the mission and science operations of UF’s College of Medicine.

Neurosurgeon appointed assistant dean of revenue cycle management

In new role, Dr. Daniel Hoh will contribute to the management, generation and collection of patient service revenue to advance the key priorities of UF's College of Medicine.

outdoor portrait of the neurosurgery department

Community service initiative brings neurosurgery department together

Members of the Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery participate in a different community service project each month.

Dr. Catherine Flores works in the lab at the McKnight Brain Institute

Giving thanks to our mentors

Dr. Catherine Flores is among the faculty members highlighted for inspiring and guiding UF College of Medicine students.

MBI researchers in the spotlight

Journalists regularly reach out to our MBI members for their expertise on many subjects. If a reporter contacts you, please alert assistant director of communications Todd Taylor or science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee so we can assist with, archive and promote your media endeavors. Here are recent examples of MBI researchers in the news:

• Dr. Steven DeKosky (United Press International) — FDA approves Alzheimer's drug seen by experts as big advance, but no miracle

• Dr. Michael Okun (USA Today) — Parkinson’s disease is more common than thought.

• Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei (Spotify’s Science Vs. podcast) — Adderall: What’s it doing to your brain?

• Dr. Malú Gámez Tansey (Flash Forward podcast) — Vanguard Estates: The Future of the Aging Brain

SEE MORE EXAMPLES OF MBI RESEARCHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT»

Check out this recent Conversation piece written by MBI members:

Drs. Bhavana Patel and Torge Rempe — Celine Dion’s diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome brought a rare neurological diagnosis into the public eye — two neurologists explain the science behind it

The Conversation is a nonprofit, independent news organization publishing trustworthy and informative articles written by academic experts for the general public and edited by a team of journalists. The Conversation reaches 5 million-plus unique readers monthly and then the articles go farther, often picked up by major outlets such as The Washington Post, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Tribune.

Contact science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee or assistant director of communications Todd Taylor with your ideas for The Conversation.

Highlight your work with MBI’s Research Snapshots

Showcase your discovery by pairing an impactful image from your latest published research with a written description of your findings. Share with our MBI communications team and work together to convey how this research has influenced your field of study.

Drs. Eric W. Atkinson and Kevin Otto report that a novel implantable device called MARTEENI showed promise in a rat-model study to improve functionality of prosthetic devices designed to work with peripheral nerves in place of a lost limb. Read the Snapshot »

Reminders from the Communications Team

Please become an MBI member (if you haven’t already), make sure you have a professional headshot, update your UF Health Directory profile and let our communications team know early and often when you have big news or research coming out of your area. All of these efforts will help us shine an even brighter light on neuro research at UF.

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